Method of Recovering Valuable Metals from Waste

Abstract

A method of recovering valuable metals from a waste including: heating the waste at a temperature and for a period of time such that a glass fiber does not melt but degrades to the extent that it becomes pulverizable, wherein conditions of the temperature and period of time are selected from a group consisting of a range of more than or equal to 750° C. and less than 800° C. for 30-40 minutes, a range of more than or equal to 800° C. and less than 900° C. for 10-40 minutes, a range of more than or equal to 900° C. and less than 950° C. for 10-30 minutes, a range of more than or equal to 950° C. and less than 1000° C. for 10-20 minutes, and a range of 1000° C. for about 10 minutes; removing the degraded glass fiber; and recovering valuable metals contained in the waste.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of recovering valuable metals from waste that is an integrated industrial waste containing a glass fiber, an epoxy resin, and valuable metals such as copper, iron, gold, aluminum, the method comprising the steps of:
 heating the integrated industrial waste at a temperature and for a period of time in such a fashion that the glass fiber does not melt but degrades to the extent that the glass fiber becomes pulverizable, wherein   conditions of the temperature and the period of time applied to the integrated industrial waste are selected from a group consisting of a range of
 more than or equal to 750° C. and less than 800° C. for 30 to 40 minutes, 
 a range of more than or equal to 800° C. and less than 900° C. for 10 to 40 minutes, 
 a range of more than or equal to 900° C. and less than 950° C. for 10 to 30 minutes, 
 a range of more than or equal to 950° C. and less than 1000° C. for 10 to 20 minutes, and 
 a range of 1000° C. for about 10 minutes; 
   removing the degraded glass fiber; and thereafter,   recovering the valuable metals contained in the integrated industrial waste.   
     
     
         2 . The method of recovering valuable metals from waste according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the step of heating the integrated industrial waste, the heating is carried out in an oxygen-free state.